D560-TI
Technology Convergence Based on
Recycle and Recovery Crucial to Address
Water-Energy Challenges
Research PREVIEW for
Technology Convergence Resolving Water-Energy
Challenges
D560-TI 2
Key Findings
1
Climate change, population growth, and lifestyle changes are major factors that highly impact the
water-energy nexus and can aggravate the water-energy challenge. Shale gas extraction in water-
scarce regions is a major contributor to water-energy challenges. Water trade may change the extent
of water-energy challenges of a particular region.
3
Six types of technology that contribute to solving the water-energy challenge have been identified–
renewable energy (RE)-based desalination; technologies in hydraulic fracturing; technologies for
thermal power plants; water efficiency, wastewater treatment and recovery; and energy efficiency.
2
Four regions that have critical water-energy challenges are the United States, Middle East, India, and
China. Solutions to the water-energy challenge cannot be generalized and each region has
technologies that are more suitable or applicable for the region.
4
Technologies addressing the water-energy nexus are based on 3 broad concepts, namely reduce;
recycle and recovery; and zero-water/zero-energy. Most of the high-impact technologies are based on
the Recycle and Recovery concept.
5 The study identifies that thermal power plants are the most important stakeholder in the water-energy
challenge responsible to a major extent for the aggravation of the water-energy challenge.
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Key Findings (cont…)
7
RE-based desalination, which is the result of technology convergence, has the highest impact on the
water-energy nexus industry and has the highest opportunity of being adopted, being applicable to 3 of
the 4 critical regions analyzed, namely USA, Middle East, and China.
8 Energy efficiency technologies have seen greater adoption than water efficiency technologies, which
are less developed than the former.
9
No single technology or concept can solve the water-energy challenge, and there is a requirement for
an integrated, multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary approach. Consequently, most of the high-
impact technologies are convergence of technologies.
6 In general, water efficiency technologies have a higher impact on the water-energy challenge, since
water scarcity has extensive influence on many industries and on agriculture.
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Section Slide Numbers
Executive Summary 3
Key Findings 6
Overview of Water-Energy Challenges 8
• Introduction
• Impact of Shale Gas on the Water-Energy Nexus
• Water-Energy Challenges–Region-wise Analysis
9
11
12
Water-Energy Nexus Landscape 19
• Addressing the Challenge
• Technology Overview
• Stakeholders in the Water-Energy Nexus
• Stakeholder Analysis
20
21
23
24
Water-Energy Technology Convergence 30
• Technology Convergence
• Stakeholders/Innovators Addressing the Water-Energy Challenge
31
36
Opportunity Evaluation and Technology Roadmapping 40
• Technology Solutions–Opportunity Evaluation for Regions
• Technology Roadmap
41
43
Appendix 44
• Key Patents
• Key Contacts
45
43
• Frost & Sullivan Story 51
The Full Analysis Features the Following Content
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Research and Objective
Energy and water are interdependent and require each other to be available for human consumption. The
importance of water and energy interdependence has started gaining recognition across the globe and
also resulted in increased interest in further understanding of the concept. The wide-ranging implications
of the water-energy nexus necessitate the convergence of technologies to address its associated
challenges.
Briefly, this research service provides:
• An analysis of the water-energy challenge, focusing on 4 selected critical regions.
• A snapshot of technologies and stakeholders addressing the water-energy challenge.
• Examples of technology convergence addressing the water-energy challenge.
• Impact assessment of key innovations and technologies.
• An evaluation of opportunities region-wise and technology roadmapping.
• Some key patents that provide an insight into notable activities and global participants, and a
detailed list of contacts in the field, which includes names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail
IDs, and Website URLs.
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Technical Insights–Research Process and Methodology
Research Methodology
Outcome: Forecast Future of
Technology, Market Adoption
and Potential Application
Sectors
Innovators and
Innovations
• Technology Journals
• Periodicals
• Market Research
Reports
• Technology Policy
information Sites
• Internal Databases
• Thought Leader
Briefings
• Engineers
• CTOs/CEOs/CIOs
• Technical Architects
• Research Heads
• Technology Policy Heads
Interview
Participants
Stakeholder Insights,
Perspectives & Strategies
Patent
Review
Assess
Innovations
Technology
Capabilities and
Stakeholder Initiatives
Technology/Business
Challenges
Application Market
Potential and Needs
Technology/Business
Drivers
1
2
3
Stakeholder Insights,
Perspectives and
Strategies
Primary Research
Secondary Research
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Interested in Full Access? Connect With Us
Ariel Brown Corporate Communications – North America
(210) 247.2481
Research Authors
Lekshmy Ravi
Reserach Analyst
Technical Insights
Jennifer Tan
Senior Industry Analyst
Technical Insights
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Global Perspective 40+ Offices Monitoring for Opportunities and Challenges
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Industry Convergence Comprehensive Industry Coverage Sparks Innovation Opportunities
Automotive &
Transportation
Aerospace & Defense Measurement &
Instrumentation
Information &
Communication Technologies
Healthcare Environment & Building
Technologies
Energy & Power
Systems
Chemicals, Materials
& Food
Electronics &
Security
Industrial Automation
& Process Control
Automotive
Transportation & Logistics
Consumer
Technologies
Minerals & Mining